Technological Advances in the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Efforts toward standardization of surgical techniques have facilitated adoption of oncologic resections for colorectal cancer with associated improvement in outcomes. With the introduction of laparoscopy, total mesorectal excision (TME) and complete mesocolic excision (CME) techniques were progressively adapted to the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approach with significant benefits with regards to patient recovery and comparable oncologic outcomes when performed by surgeons beyond their learning curve. Anastomotic complications and functional disturbances following TME remain significant. Recent innovations include intracorporeal anastomosis, which avoids midline extraction sites, and transanal TME, which lowers conversion rates and facilitates sphincter preservation for low rectal tumors.